ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) – There’s a new experience at Balloon Fiesta this year that will let you be part of Dawn Patrol and even do a splash and dash without ever leaving the ground. “It actually kind of felt like you were on it but also, like, not on it. You also felt like you could fall but you also felt like you couldn’t fall,” said 8-year-old Felicity.
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Visit ABQ and the Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum teamed up for the first time to bring virtual reality balloon rides during Balloon Fiesta.
“There’s nothing like being up in a hot air balloon and we recognize that not everybody who comes to Balloon Fiesta has the opportunity to experience that,” said Director Nan Masland, Anderson Abruzzo International Balloon Museum.
“Sometimes balloon rides could be a little out of people’s reach whether it’s due to budget, disability, or timeframe, but you can come on over to the museum to actually experience some of the best of fiesta,” said Jesse Sansom, owner of eVRgreen Arts who created the VR balloon ride.
Sansom used footage from going up with pilots from over the years for the virtual flight. Guests simply sit in the chairs, put on the headsets, and soar to the skies. The ten minute program takes ‘passengers’ on dawn patrol, through a splash and dash, and on a mass ascension. “It’s really kind of a culmination of all that makes fiesta so magical,” said Sansom.
Guests can look all around and swivel in the chairs to get the 360-degree, real-world view. “It was fun to see it from the perspective as if we were the ones taking off,” said Jeannie, a mom from Albuquerque who did the VR program with her four kids.
“You could look up, you know, and here’s one coming near you and it was just cool. It was very cool,” said Kathy Whitecar, who along with her husband is visiting Balloon Fiesta for the first time from New Jersey.
“The unique thing about this is that everyone is experiencing the same program in the same ride, they’re all having their own actual experience by looking around,” said Sansom. “And for folks who are scared of heights, it’s perfect for you because we guarantee a safe landing.”
Up to 30 people are able to do the VR experience at a time. The VR goggles are also sanitized throughout the day. Passengers agreed the experience left them with a little more fiesta magic.
“We didn’t know what to expect,” said Whitecar. “It was great.”
“It’s really great to see smiles on people’s faces and give them an experience they might not otherwise get to do,” said Sansom.
The VR balloon rides are available at the balloon museum from 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m .through Balloon Fiesta. The experience is included in the price of admission to the museum.
